Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 10, Kenya and Uganda are discussing a new 200km expressway designed to improve connectivity and reduce congestion between the two capitals, Nairobi and Kampala. Financial support for the project is expected from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Both governments have approved the feasibility study, and further talks will address the remaining financing needs.

New road construction works are planned to improve transport between Kenya and Uganda

The expressway project largely involves upgrading existing roads. In Uganda, a new 60km section will be built between Jinja and Busesa, while the stretches from Busesa to Malaba and Busitema to Busia will be upgraded to dual carriageways. In Kenya, the Kisumu Bypass will be converted to dual carriageway status, and the Kimaeti to Lwakhakha section will receive a new asphalt surface. Border posts at Busia and Malaba will also be enhanced to streamline procedures and reduce delays.

The project will follow a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) overseeing the Kenyan portion. The initiative aims to strengthen transport links between Kenya and Uganda, while also facilitating trade and transport with other East African nations. This expressway is part of a broader effort to enhance international transport connectivity in the region.

Separately, a consortium comprising the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has won the tender for Kenya’s Mau Summit Highway project. The consortium holds a 30-year concession to construct, operate, and maintain the upgraded highway.

Additionally, the Kenyan Government has paid compensation to a French consortium, including Vinci Highways SAS, Meridian Infrastructure Africa Fund, and Vinci Concessions SAS, following the cancellation of a $1.5 billion highway upgrade project. The Kenyan Treasury’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate confirmed the settlement.

These projects reflect Kenya and Uganda’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize regional infrastructure. By improving road capacity and border efficiency, the expressway is expected to enhance trade, reduce travel times, and strengthen economic integration across East Africa. The new and upgraded road sections will provide safer, faster, and more reliable connections for both passenger and freight transport, supporting broader regional development goals.

Overall, the expressway and associated highway initiatives demonstrate the governments’ commitment to infrastructure-led growth, leveraging both domestic and international partnerships under structured PPP models. The projects aim to improve transport efficiency, create job opportunities during construction and operations, and provide long-term benefits for cross-border mobility and trade in East Africa.